Author Topic: coolant level surprise (Read 4395 times)

Kneale Brownson · « **on:** November 10, 2007, 08:27:40 am »

I was getting the floating thermometer coolant level warning intermittently, so I added some mixed coolant to the reservoir, raising it from just above the "MIN" mark to just above the "MAX" line. Now that I've been using the heater some, I see the coolant level is almost a half inch above the "MAX" line.

I presume I had an air bubble or something because of not using the heater.

jtanguay · « **Reply #1 on:** November 10, 2007, 12:35:35 pm »

isn't the heater fully connected in the loop? only mk1's have the shut off valve? just opening the coolant cap and running the motor can help bleed off some of the bubbles.

fatmobile · « **Reply #2 on:** November 11, 2007, 02:33:14 am »

What kind of car is it and are you getting a steady stream of coolant through the little line coming off the radiator?

Kneale Brownson · « **Reply #3 on:** November 14, 2007, 05:59:17 pm »

It's a 1994 Jetta TD.

There is a steady stream of coolant into the reservoir from the little hose to near the top of the reservoir.

I haven't seen any change in the level since I noticed it was well above the mark. I still get an intermittent floating thermometer flash on the instrument cluster.

Doug · « **Reply #4 on:** November 14, 2007, 06:46:17 pm »

The float level sensor sometimes gets crudded up to the point of faulty messages. It is cheap to replace or you could try cleaning it in some soapy water.

insdtanoodles · « **Reply #5 on:** November 14, 2007, 08:50:11 pm »

good luck getting rid of that warning light, mine has been going off forever. I have cleaned the take out 3 times and bought a new one and it's still going off randomly so I just check every now and then to make sure I didn't actually start loosing coolant

fatmobile · « **Reply #6 on:** November 15, 2007, 02:32:11 am »

I wonder where that sensor is grounded.
Might be a corroded ground connection.

Kneale Brownson · « **Reply #7 on:** November 15, 2007, 02:07:52 pm »

According to Bentley wiring diagrams, the ground for the sensor is in the engine compartment wiring harness. I suppose that means one of those "welded" connections where they pinch several grounds together with a crimped ferrule and then bury it in the harness.

fatmobile · « **Reply #8 on:** November 17, 2007, 02:12:43 am »

Check voltage on each side of the sensor,... pull the rubber plug cover back. Should be 0 volts on the ground side.

Kneale Brownson · « **Reply #9 on:** November 18, 2007, 09:32:57 pm »

Or I could look for continuity to a ground source?

So after I determine which is ground, maybe I should run a good, new clean ground to the chassis or the engine?

Author Topic: coolant level surprise (Read 4395 times)

Doug